Clinical Features of Corneal Erosion in Contact Lens Wearers

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical patterns of corneal erosion induced by contact lens wear and the relations of corneal complications to the duration of contact lens wear and the final wearing. METHODS: We have examined with slit lamp and questionnaire survey, 161 eyes of 105 patients with complication of contact lens wear who visited KyungHee Medical Center from January 2000 to June 2001. RESULTS: Majority of the corneal complication is diffuse punctate type that comprises 58.3%, corneal erosion 14.4%, corneal ulcer 3.1% and so on. Erosional grading and the final wearing time are not proportional to the clinical presentation. Extended-wear soft contact lens was used by 37.1% and RGP lens by 35.2%. Half of the symptoms starts shortly after the lens removal. Corneal ulcer has a significantly higher incidence in the long-duration of wearing group. CONCLUSIONS: The corneal complication is various as corneal erosion, corneal ulcer, and so forth. Consequently, it is quite necessary to give an intensive education to the contact lens wearers, especially in long-duration ones.